Calling all Disneyland and Disney World lovers!

The Walt Disney company has spread its magic all over the world, and author Ashley Craft has created a cookbook capturing that Disney magic for us.

Published in 2020, The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook includes recipes from Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and California Adventure.

Personally, I’m partial to Disneyland and California Adventure, so I am super excited about recipes like Bengal Beef Skewers, Clam Chowder, and Corn Dogs.

The recipes for Churros, Dole Whip, and Matterhorn Macaroons bring fond memories to long time Disney Park fans. 

For most of my life, I lived in the wonderful city of Orange, California, about 6.5 miles from Disneyland. Most of my friends and family members held Disneyland Annual Passes allowing us to visit both Disneyland and Downtown Disney any time we pleased. 

Thanks to Disneyland passes, I’ve been to Disneyland hundreds of times, and this cookbook brings the whimsical rush of Disney memories. Waltzing down Main Street with my mom, shopping our favorite stores and ogling all of the candy shop treats. Digging into Clam Chowder bowls and Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square while listening to the live Jazz band play. Buying Hot Chocolate with quarters and watching the Fireworks with my fellow poor high school friends. The list of memories goes on and on.

When we observe the best parts of Disney parks, the epic food served within the parks probably comes to mind. As an Annual Passholder, we had the luxury of “popping in” to Disneyland for an hour or two just to satisfy a food craving. More than once, my mom or best friend Jen and I went into the Disney parks in California ONLY for a corn dog, cinnamon roll, or fried chicken from the place with pink umbrellas. Sure, we rode Pirates and Haunted Mansion every trip too, but it was mostly about food, food, and more food.

Disney does food well. Period, the end. And they put great effort into their food. Some may only be able to visit a Disney park once or twice in their life, so the food Disney serves has to be memorable.

My husband, two kids, and I live in Southern Illinois now. I’ve noticed many people out here in the Midwest visit the Disney Parks in Florida. More than half of the recipes in this cookbook include foods from the Disney World Parks! While I have yet to visit these parks, the recipes in this cookbook have encouraged me to do so. Yes, please!

With the current pandemic, Disney Parks may be a lot more difficult to visit. Travel is restricted, masks are required, and the Disney Parks in California are still  closed. What. A. Bummer.

Thanks to Ashley Craft and this cookbook, the magic of Disney dining can follow you home!

Use this cookbook to remake recipes and remake memories. Choose recipes your family delights in or remembers and cook those recipes together. While cooking, talk about the Disney memories you have made or plan to make. Plan an entire “Disney Day” at home, full of recipes, crafts, and movie watching. 

If you have photos of you and your family at a Disney Park, pull those photos out and show them off while cooking recipes from this book.

Disney+ offers a few Disney Park documentaries that can be viewed while cooking from this cookbook for some extra magic and fun.

No matter how often you are able to visit the great Disney Parks, this cookbook will keep the extraordinary Disney magic alive in your heart and home!

Here’s the secret: all moms have at least a little bit of anxiety. It’s part of the season of being a mom, and it happens to every mom out there. You are not alone. As we are all getting our Christmas gift lists ready, let’s not forget the moms with anxiety on our list. I’ve put together a fun list of things to get for the mom(s) with anxiety that you know. 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

*****Warning: YOU might be a mom with anxiety and might want to use this as your Christmas list. Enjoy!

1. Make Your Own Beauty Masks: 38 Simple, All-Natural Recipes for Healthy Skin Book

• For the mom who loves making her own beauty concoctions and would totally enjoy an at-home spa night.

2. ZZZhen Weighted Blanket

• For the mom who is always cold or loves snuggling up on the couch with a hot beverage and good movie or book.

3. Knock Knock Self-Therapy Checklist Note Pad

• For the close friend who enjoys using humor to battle anxiety symptoms.

4. ASUTRA Lavender & Chamomile Organic Essential Oil Blend

• For the friend who loves using calming scents to ease their stress.

5. Our Own Candle Company 4 Pack Christmas Assortment Mini Mason Jar Candles 

• For the mom who loves holiday scents and homey-style decorations in their house.

6. My Perfectly Imperfect Life: 127 Exercises for Self-Acceptance (Flow book)

• For the close friend who enjoys guided journalling.

7. Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Gift Set 2020

• For the mom friend or family member who enjoys a nice bath.

8. Mom Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book

• For the close mom friend who has a fun snarky attitude.

9. Mom Life: Return of Toddzilla: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book

• For the close mom friend who has a fun snarky attitude.

10. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

• For your creative friend who could use a burst of inspiration.

11. Amazon Gift Card

• For almost any mom you know who likes to shop on Amazon, this gift card is almost always a perfect gift.

All photos courtesy of amazon.com

With the shopping season in full swing, you might be starting on your Christmas gift list. If you are anything like me, you have already seen the endless amounts of new toys out in all of the stores. All of the Frozen 2 merch, the Barbie Dream Houses on display, and let’s not forget the endless amount of “blind bag” type toys that, honestly, get me with their marketing ALL. THE. TIME. 

Holiday Mom Stress is real. I have many tips for handling the extra expectations and anxiety that come around during the holiday season for moms. Two of my tips for handling Holiday Mom Stress involve gift buying. The first tip is to research gifts, whether that’s online or in-store. Research and plan before purchasing. The second tip is to help avoid extra anxiety. If you find yourself a little extra stressed while out shopping during the holidays, use your in-store time to research and browse, and then do your purchasing online in your own space where you have more control.

That being said, here are seven fun gift ideas for kids of all ages that you can order right from Amazon. It is always smart to make your Christmas gift list and to start purchasing and checking off your list as early as possible. Christmas may seem far away still, but it will be here before we know it.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

BONUS: Keep your family warm and cozy with these delicious flannel blankets in many fun styles. Choose from tortillas, waffles, and pizza, and get a few of these cute and clever food themed blankets as holiday gifts this year.

All photos courtesy of Amazon

Books are an amazing addition to this holiday season. We are still in the midst of a pandemic, the weather is getting cooler in some areas, masks are still required at Target, and some indoor dining still feels awkward. What can we moms do during the cold bleak days of Fall and Winter?

Read books! Read books, buy books, gift books, share books. 

Books should be on your shopping list for many reasons. Especially Christian books for moms. This post contains a few of my favorite Christian books for moms. These books can be bought:

• As a gift for your mom
• To be read in a book club
• As a gift for your mom friends
• To use as a Bible study 
• Umm….for yourself! Duh!

Peruse this guide and add these books to your shopping list for yourself and as gifts.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase

Mama Bear Apologetics™: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies

By Hillary Morgan Ferrer

The amazing group of authors who wrote this book isn’t afraid to tackle very serious and sometimes controversial topics relevant to the world today. This apologetics book is full of truth, love, and kindness; teaching you important facts, educating you on tough subjects, and wrapping it all up in a big bow full of grace and encouragement. 

Delight!: Discipleship as the Adventure of Loving and Being Loved

By Justin Rossow

Justin Rossow invites us to lay down our burdens and hurts and dive into God’s Word to reveal mutual delight. This book is like a giant hug wrapping around our broken and exhausted hearts, pointing us to the One who gives us the gift of delight. This Bible study meets readers right where they are and guides them through their journey of faith. 

Grace Looks Amazing on You: 100 Days of Reflecting God’s Love

by Amy Seiffert 

Daily devotional books are so important to have and to have them where you can find them. Keep a daily devotional like this one close to your favorite reading spot, right where you need it when you can sneak away for 5 minutes to read. In this book, Amy showers us with reminders of God’s wonderful grace while pointing us to the power of the Gospel.

Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy

By Emily Ley

Practical mom hacks are so important, and books like this one are a great companion to your Bible study. Emily reminds us to include grace for ourselves and the people we come into contact within our lives. The idea of striving for grace over perfection frees us moms up for WAY more important things than mom guilt.

Seven Days to Peace: A Prayer Challenge

by Sarah E. Frazer 

Prayer can be a misunderstood and easily forgotten topic, but this book encourages moms to work in their prayer life in realistic and life-changing ways. Sarah takes you through 10 minutes a day of praying about a scripture passage. This book for Christian moms is a workbook and includes reflection questions and prayer writing exercises….and momma, don’t we all need more of that stuff?!

Fear Less: 30 Devotions for Courageous Faith

By Sarah Borgstede

One of the reasons I enjoy suggesting Christian books for moms is because these books help with the real, raw, and ridiculous stuff we moms encounter. This book addresses readers with anxiety, panic, and stress, and points them to Jesus and His comfort and Truth. One month of seven-minute devotions brings you Biblical truths, practical strategies, and oh, so much love.

Vantage Point: A New View of Rest, Rhythm, and the Work of God

By Brenda Jank

One of my favorite phrases right now is “Stop the glorification of Busy”. I read it all over social media, and my recent planner sticker pack includes brightly colored graphics bearing this powerful phrase. It’s so hard, though! Brenda respects the reader’s time like no author I’ve come across and packs vital teachings into short and concise chapters. Vantage Point points us to Jesus, His Truth, and His Will for us in the area of rest. 

Take care of a chunk of your Christmas gift list with these Christian books for moms. Order a book for your own mom, and thank her for her wisdom and love. Get a book for everyone in your mom-tribe and sign the inside of the cover with a personal note. Include a book in your church’s Christmas gift exchange for your women’s ministry. Surprise a mom at your church with a book, just because she needs to know she is loved.

While you’re at it, order a few books for yourself to equip and encourage you in this season of motherhood. 

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OK, before you get too mad at me, I know none of us really NEED a robot vacuum. But if you have an extra couple hundred dollars you are wanting to spend on a gift for yourself, allow me to share 5 reasons every real mom needs a robot vacuum. In fact, once Mom Fuel starts making the big bucks I am going to start buying Robot vacuums for random moms every week. You can hold me to that promise.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My mom friends and I talk about cleaning floors often. My friend Jade and I were just talking about the importance of a robot vacuum cleaner over the counter of her amazing coffee shop. We all love a nice clean floor, but who has time to vacuum and steam mop every day? And even if you have time, who has the energy or back strength to clean the floors every day? I sure don’t. 

This year for my birthday, my husband gifted me with a robot vacuum. That sweet man went to Lowe’s on Black Friday to get one at a great sale price. Since my husband and I watch the show Parks and Recreation regularly, we named our  iRobot Roomba E5 “DJ Roomba” and it is a “him”. Here are the top 5 reasons every mom needs a robot vacuum:

He goes EVERYWHERE

DJ Roomba is the most intrusive house guest I have ever had. While he is working, he frequently rushes by me angrily or bumps into me, as if I am in HIS way in HIS house. At first this was off-putting…but then I saw DJ Roomba make his way under the crib and the changing table to vacuum. He then meticulously vacuumed the corners and up against the wall where all the dog hair lives. This robot vacuum will work in places I have no intention of ever being able to clean.

He Works While You Work Elsewhere

It’s not like I’m sitting on the couch eating ice cream watching Bravo while DJ Roomba is cleaning (although, that would be totally OK). Getting a robot vacuum does not make you lazy or a failure as a mom. Quite the opposite! One of our best God-given qualities as a mom is the power and skill to multitask. My Roomba is cleaning as I write this blog post. A robot vacuum works while you work, saving your time and energy that can be used for things a robot can’t do. 

He Forces Your Family To Pick Up

Our specific model Roomba learns the layout of your house so it can be set free to clean unsupervised. The robot is an incredible machine that bounces off of hard objects and can avoid most things it shouldn’t suck up. The only requirement is to have most loose objects picked up and out of the way. So now in my household I’m not the one nagging my family members to pick up after themselves for my own benefit. Now everyone (myself included) knows they have to pick up their stuff so DJ Roomba can vacuum. Now everyone picks up their stuff!

He Makes The Air Better

I try not to constantly think about all the stuff on our floor between my husband and myself, the two small kids, and two naughty beagles. Plus, we all know about dead skin cells, dog hair, human hair, food particles, and all the other fun things on our floors. Once I started running DJ Roomba once every day for its one and a half hour cycle, the air in our house was cleaner. My husband’s allergies cleared up, I didn’t need to light candles as often, and the house just seemed cleaner. After running a cycle the Roomba’s dirt container is usually completely full. I always feel healthy and accomplished when emptying the dirt container.

He Isn’t Clutter

There are so many gizmos and gadgets that promise to make our lives easier as moms. Some of them are life changing, and some of them just add to the chaos and mess. Our Roomba plugs into the wall with a short cord attached to a “charging station” for the robot. My one year old son tried to play with it for the first few days. We worked to teach him to not touch and now he leaves it alone. The beagles leave it alone as well….but I think that is more out of fear. The WiFi feature of our model allows me to run DJ Roomba’s cleaning cycle while we are not home, so there is less temptation for anyone to mess with the robot while he is cleaning. 

If you are ready to find your version of DJ Roomba, you can find many models at stores like Lowe’s, Target, Walmart, and many others. If you are an Amazon shopper, I have included the link to the model we have at home. Some of the robot vacuum models (like mine) can be controlled using your Alexa device. That is HUGE for us. 

For more gift guides from Mom Fuel:

11 Gifts For Moms with Anxiety

7 Fun Gifts For Kids

Whether or not you’re ready for it, the time is here to get started on making this Halloween happen. If you’re trying to step up your Halloween game and are running low on time, here’s a list of some of my favorite spooktacular finds on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Halloween Cutouts

These Halloween cutouts make great indoor decorations throughout the season or just for a party. Decorations include bats, spiders, ghosts, pumpkins, a 3D Chandelier, and more. I enjoy using these cutouts as a pop of color for my spooky Halloween decor all October long.

If you’re feeling a little extra, you can totally cut these things out with your Cricut and make your own. I love this idea, but don’t always have the time or energy. Thank you, Amazon Prime, for making my life easier during the holidays.

Party Supplies

This bulk pack of Halloween shaped glow stick is essential for every party and trick or treater. They make a great inexpensive party favor and make you look like Safety Mom Of The Year.

Paper drinking straws are both trendy and safe for sea turtles, so what better way to celebrate Halloween than with these frighteningly festive paper straws.

If you are having a Halloween party and want to just buy a pack of party supplies someone else put together for you, I highly suggest this simple Halloween Party Supplies Pack.

Halloween Outdoor Projector

We pair this projector with purple lights in our front yard for an eery effect. The kit contains 15 replaceable slides, including Christmas trees, Santa Claus, Halloween skeleton, clown, snowman, love, birthday cake, fireworks, and much more.  

The projector works for both interior and exterior walls, landscapes, dance floors and more to create a festive atmosphere. The built in timer takes some of my anxiety away, and that’s what it’s all about.

Candy (Avoid The Stores)

The beginning of holiday sales and items at stores is so exciting! But by the time you actually need to buy candy, your local Target may just be one giant anxiety attack. Avoid drama and anxiety by ordering your candy or snacks to hand out to trick or treaters. I’ve included a few of my favorite options. For the candy snob, just go ahead and order a bulk package of Reese’s pumpkins. We all miss them once they are gone from the stores, so load up now. Popcornopolis Halloween Cones are another fnacy idea to make your party guests shiver with delight. For the healthy minded momma, Annie’s Halloween Bunnies are the perfect pick. Whatever your Halloween Treat vibe is, order from Amazon for easy fun!

Halloween Costumes

Halloween costumes are an overwheling subject for me, so I am going to share a few themes and ideas I have researched on Amazon. Use these ideas to spark your spirit or just order the whole dang thing on Amazon for the most ease.

Whether you are dressing up your entire family in coordinating costumes or decorating each family member individually, these ideas will either work for you or help you think of an idea that would work better!